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Install EMC PowerPath/VE with Update Manager

2 min read #Tools #Management #vSphere #Administration

I was looking into this a short while ago – after updating the hosts to Update 4.01.

This VMware KB – 1018740 will show you the way.

Download the the Powerpath/VE 5.4 SP1 package from Powerlink

(if you are looking for the document location manually - Home > Support > Software Downloads and Licensing > Downloads P-R > PowerPath for VMware).

Once the package is downloaded extract the zip package to a folder which is accessible to a web browser.

Side-by-side file browser comparing PowerPath VE depot contents with EMC folder and index.xml on a web root

Once you confirm that the package is accessible from a web browser – you are ready to go.

Firefox showing Apache Index of /powerpath directory with EMC folder and index.xml on host jedi

The beauty of it all is that this can be done in Update Manager.

Update Manager Patch Download Settings with a red box around Add Patch Source and a table of patch sources

Make sure you put the full path to the xml file!!

Add Patch Source dialog with PowerPath index.xml URL entered and Validate URL showing Connected

Apply and Download Now

Update Manager Patch Download Sources with arrow pointing to enabled PowerPath custom ESX source and Apply button

Update Manager Patch Download Sources with a custom PowerPath patch source and the Download Now button highlighted

And the progress shoots off

vCenter recent tasks row showing Download Patch Definitions task in progress, initiated by vCenter Server

We then create a new Host Extension Baseline to deploy the package

New Baseline Wizard naming a Powerpath baseline with Host Extension type selected in a red box

New Baseline Wizard Extensions step, red arrow pointing to the EMC PowerPath 5.4 SP1 host extension

You will then have a new Extension Baseline

VMware Update Manager Baselines view with a PowerPath 5.4 SP1 host extension baseline listed

You can then Attach that baseline to your host/s - stage and remediate..
(Mind you it requires maintenance mode and a reboot)

vCenter Update Manager showing PowerPath 5.4 SP1 baseline with a host Non-Compliant marked by red circle

This is not including the licensing that needs to be set up for PowerPath.

Noticeable mentions on the topic are:

HOWTO: Download, Install and License EMC PowerPath/VE – Chad Sakacc

White Paper: Third Party PSPs – EMC Power Path for VMware – Mike Laverick